Inhabitants of coastal towns in Santiago de Cuba brace for Hurricane Matthew

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba, Oct 3 (acn) The threat of hurricane can cause the most unusual actions and at Granma Cay, Santiago de Cuba Bay, as part of the measures to reduce the risk before Matthew, the boats are placed on the streets and villagers sail the waters to safeguard life.

Leonor Ruiz has lived for 71 years in this picturesque landscape of Santiago de Cuba, and had always remained during cyclones in the beloved little island, to the care of her belongings.
When situation has become worse, I have risen to the church located at the top, nine meters above sea level, but this time is different, she says.
After frights with Hurricane Sandy that hit the province nearly four years ago and knowing by reports and alerts by the Civil Defense the waves of great magnitude and height are expected, this time I will not stay, says while smiling and boarding one of the buses.
The residents of Granma Cay, along with others from La Socapa and Barrio Tecnico, also in Santiago coastline, were located at a pre-university in the outskirts of the city, which is among the 118 evacuation centers set in the territory.
In the key there is still an atmosphere of normality, but the landscape has changed, fishermen have their boats moored to posts and beams in the streets extending in just over two kilometers.
The ceilings have been covered with sandbags in order to make zinc and tiles to weigh more, and all the locals have sought shelter for their belongings.
Barbara Acosta, doctor and heroine of the community after swimming across the bay to save the life of a patient in the morning while Hurricane Sandy, told ACN to be proud due to responsibility and discipline being showed by both patients and residents.
We are getting ready to face all that may arise and, although we are aware of the risk to which we are exposed, we have well incorporated the experience gained after "Sandy".
It is estimated that thousands of Santiago villagers not to wait to dangerous hurricane Matthew in their homes, a high percentage of them will do it in the homes of relatives and neighbors and the rest in doctors' offices, state community facilities, engineering works such as tunnels and shelters.